Marking devices for x-ray film

ABSTRACT

The X-ray film is enclosed within a light-tight holding device, so arranged that the X-ray exposure is made with the film therein. An electro-luminescent lamp in the form of a flat plate is mounted in the holding device, which has a light-trap slot for the insertion of an identification card between the lamp and the film. The lamp is energized in connection with the X-ray exposure, so that a latent photographic image is produced on the film, to correspond with the identifying markings on the card. In one embodiment, the electro-luminescent lamp is mounted within a cassette, adapted to hold an X-ray film. The identification card is movable into direct engagement with the film. The cassette is provided with contacts whereby the lamp is connected to an energizing circuit when the cassette is mounted in its exposure position. In another embodiment, a fiber optic plate is provided between the identification card and the film to transmit an image of the identifying markings to the film. This construction makes it possible to feed the film into and out of the holding device, from a supply magazine to a receiving magazine.

United States Patent Farmer Aug. 8, 1972 [54] MARKING DEVICES FOR X-RAYFILM [72] Inventor: Robert B. Farmer, Glenview, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Katum Corporation, Wilmette, Ill.

[22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 857,164

Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence Assistant Examiner-C. E. ChurchAtt0rneyBurmeister, Palmatier & Hamby [57] ABSTRACT The Xray film isenclosed within a light-tight holding device, so arranged that the X-rayexposure is made with the film therein. An electro-luminescent lamp inthe form of a flat plate is mounted in the holding device, which has alight-trap slot for the insertion of an identification card between thelamp and the film. The lamp is energized in connection with the X-rayexposure, so that a latent photographic image is produced on the film,to correspond with the identifying markings on the card. in oneembodiment, the electro-luminescent lamp is mounted within a cassette,adapted to hold an X-ray film. The identification card is movable intodirect engagement with the film. The cassette is provided with contactswhereby the lamp is connected to an energizing circuit when the cassetteis mounted in its exposure position. In another embodiment, a fiberoptic plate is provided between the identification card and the film totransmit an image of the identifying markings to the film. Thisconstruction makes it possible to feed the film into and out of theholding device, from a supply magazine to a receiving magazine.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing, Figures MARKING DEVICES non X-RAY FILM Thisinvention relates to marking devices whereby various identifyingmarkings are produced on an X-ray film, simultaneously with the X-rayexposure of the film. The markings may include the name of the patient,the date, the sequence number, and any other desired data.

Various marking devices have been provided in the prior art, but nonehas been entirely satisfactory. One object of the present invention isto provide a marking device which functions efficiently andautomatically, with only the requirement that an identification card,bearing the desired markings, is inserted into the device through alight-trap slot. The marking devices of the present invention areefiicient, foolproof, compact, and economical.

In accordance with the present invention, the marking device utilizes alight-tight holding device in which the X-ray film is contained duringthe X-ray exposure. An electro-luminescent lamp is mounted in theholding device, adjacent one side of the X-ray film. The lamp is in theform of a flat plate and is extremely compact. The holding device isprovided with a recess for receiving the lamp. The idenficiation card isinserted into the holding device through a light-trap slot. In this way,the portion of the card, bearing the identifying markings, is movedbetween the lamp and the film. The lamp is energized, preferably duringthe X-ray exposure, so as to produce a latent photographic image of themarkings on an edge portion of the film.

In one embodiment, the holding device is disposed between a supplymagazine and a receiving magazine. Successive X-ray films are fed intoand out of the holding device. A fiber optic plate is provided betweenthe identification card and the film so that the image of theidentifying markings is transmitted to the film. This arrangementprevents the film from snagging on the identification card. Thus, thefilm can be fed along the fiber optic plate, without any snagging orother malfunction.

In another embodiment, the invention is incorporated into. a cassettefor holding a single X-ray film. The cassette comprises front and rearmembers, each preferably molded in one piece of a resinous plasticmaterial. The electro-luminescent lamp is mounted in a recess formed inone of the members. A light-trap slot is provided so that anidentification card or the like can be inserted between the lamp and theX-ray film. Contacts are provided on the cassette and are connected tothe lamp so that an energizing voltage can be supplied to the lamp whenthe cassette is inserted into the exposure position in the X-rayapparatus. In this case the identification card preferably engages thefilm directly, so that a fiber optic plate is not necessary.

The cassette preferably comprises hinge elements, disposed between thefront and rear members along one edge thereof. Flexible detent flangesare provided along the opposite edge for holding the cassette in itsclosed position. It is preferred to provide tongue and groove elementsaround the periphery of the cassette to provide a light seal between thefront and back members.

Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention willappear from the following description, taken with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a transporting ap paratus for X-rayfilms, such apparatus constituting one illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation corresponding to a portionof FIG. 1, with certain portions broken away for clarity ofillustration.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section, taken generally along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an identification card, adapted to beemployed in connection with the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an X-ray film cassette constitutinganother embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6-9 are fragmentary sections, taken respectively along the lines6-6, 7-7, 8-8, and 99 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the cassette shown in FIG. 5.

As just indicated, FIG. 1 illustrates the invention as embodied in amachine 10 for transporting or handling X-ray films 12 (FIG. 3). Asupply magazine 14 is provided to hold a pack of the films 12. It willbe understood that other suitable means may be provided to hold thefilms. The films 12 are transported into a lighttight enclosure orcasing 16 which provides the exposure station, at which the X-raysimpinge upon the X- ray films. After being exposed, the films aretransported into a receiving magazine 18.

The machine 10 of FIG. 1 may be of the type disclosed and claimed in theFarmer US. Pat. No. 3,448,979, patented June 10, 1969. The disclosure ofsuch patent is hereby incorporated. by reference.

At the exposure casing 16, the films 12 are adapted to move betweenfront and rear intensifier screens 20 and 21, mounted on front and rearpressure plates 22 and 23. A mechanism is provided to feed successive X-ray films from the magazine 14 into the exposure casing 16, and theninto the receiving magazine 18. Such mechanism is not shown but is fullydisclosed in the above-mentioned Farmer patent.

A marking device 24 is provided] to produce identifying markings on eachsuccessive X-ray film 12. The markings may indicate the name of thepatient, the date, the sequence number, and any other desired data.

The marking device 24 is provided with a light-trap slot 26, throughwhich an identification card 28 is inserted. It will be understood thatvarious other identification members may be employed instead of the card28.

As shown in FIG. 4, the card 28 carries various identifying markings 30which it is desired to transfer to the X-ray film 12. These markings 30may be written by hand or typewritten upon the card 28. The markings 30are confined to a particular portion of the card 28, within arectangular border line 32, printed or otherwise applied to the card 28.

The light-trap slot 26 is formed in a wall member 34, mounted on thefront plate 22. The markings 30 on the card 28 are transferredphotographically to the film 12. To provide for such transfer, themarking device 24 incorporates a plate-like lamp 36, preferably of theelectro-luminescent type. Preferably, the wall member 34 is formed witha rectangular recess 38, into which the plate-like lamp 36 is fitted. Itis preferred to provide a shield 40 to protect the lamp 36 from theX-rays. The

shield 40 may be made of lead or any other material that is capable ofpreventing the transmission of the X- rays to the lamp 36. As shown, theshield 40 is in the form of a lead plate, fitted into the recess 38along with the lamp 36. The lead plate 40 is disposed toward the frontof the wall member 34, while the lamp 36 is toward the rear of the wallmember.

The light-trap slot 26 guides the identification card 28 into a positionjust behind the lamp 36. A narrow space 42 is provided behind the lamp36 to receive the card 28.

For reasons to be indicated presently, it is preferred to provide afiber optic plate 44 between the identification card 28 and the X-rayfilm 12. The fiber optic plate 44 has the unusual characteristic oftransmitting light along parallel lines only. Thus, the fiber opticplate 44 transmits the image of the identification card 28 to the X-rayfilm 12, without any appreciable blurring of the image. The fiber opticplate 44 is of the type in which a very large number of very fine glassfibers are bonded together in a bundle, with all of the fibers runningin the same direction. The plate is sliced from the bundle and issuitable polished. The fibers extend through the plate 44 from front torear, perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the plate 44.

It will be seen that the rear surface of the fiber optic plate 44 isflush with the rear side of the intensification screen 20. Thus, thescreen 22 and the fiber optic plate 44 present smooth unbroken rearsurfaces, without any appreciable irregularity. Accordingly, the X-rayfilm 12 can be fed along the intensification screen 20 and the fiberoptic plate 44 without encountering any irregularity. This arrangementis much preferable to any arrangement in which the identification card28 would directly engage the film 12, because any such arrangement wouldinvolve the hazard that the X-ray film 12 might be snagged by the card28. Thus, the provision of the fiber optic plate 44 insures that theinsertion of the card 28 will not cause the snagging or jamming of theX-ray film, as it is fed mechanically, into and out of the exposurecasing 16.

It will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the electro-luminescent lamp 36has a pair of contacts 46 between which a voltage may be impressed toenergize the lamp. In this case, the contacts 46 are adapted to beengaged by contact plungers or pins 48 which are slidable from front torear and are biased forwardly by coil springs 50. Each contact pin 48has a reduced shank 52 which is slidable in a bushing 54. The shankportions 52 of the contact pins 46 are connected to an energizingcircuit, whereby the lamp 36 is energized for a timed interval duringthe X-ray exposure. The timed interval is selected so that the lamp 36will produce the proper photographic exposure on the X-ray film 12. Thetimed interval may be either the same as or different from the intervalduring which the X-ray film 12 is exposed to the X-rays.

The arrangement of the lamp contacts 46 in the spring pressed contactpins 48 makes it easy to open the exposure casing 16, if maintenancework becomes necessary. It is preferred to provide a hinged mounting forthe front plate 22 so that the casing 16 can readily be opened.Occasionally, it may be necessary to open the casing 16 to remove ajammed X-ray film or to perform various other maintenance operations.

The electro-luminescent lamp 36 provides a rather low level ofillumination. However, the light emitted by the lamp 36 is sufficient toprovide a photographic latent image on the X-ray film 12, correspondingto the markings 30 on the identification card 28. The latentphotographic image becomes visible when the X-ray film is developed inthe normal manner. It will be seen that the identification markings areconfined to one corner portion of the X-ray film 12.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, in the formof a cassette 60 adapted to hold a single X-ray film 62. The cassette 60is in the form of a light-tight casing for holding the X-ray film 62while it is exposed to X-rays. The cassette is adapted to be slippedinto the X-ray apparatus, before the exposure is begun. After the X-rayexposure has been made, the cassette 60 is taken into a dark room sothat the exposed X-ray film can be removed and developed. A fresh X-rayfilm is then loaded into the cassette 60.

The cassette 60 preferably comprises front and back members 64 and 66,each of which is preferably molded in one piece of a suitable resinousplastic material. The front and back members 64 and 66 are preferablyconnected together along one edge by means of hinge elements 68 and 70,molded integrally thereon. Thus, the front and back members 64 and 66can be swung apart for the removal and insertion of the X-ray films.

Locking means are preferably provided to hold the front and back members64 and 66 together in their closed position. As shown to best advantagein FIG. 9, such locking means preferably comprise flexible detentflanges 72 and 74, formed on the edge portions of the members 64 and 66,along the edges thereof remote from the hinge elements 68 and 70. Thedetent elements 72 and 74 are adapted to snap together to hold themembers 64 and 66 in their closed position. By manually applyingpressure to the flanges 72 and 74, they can be moved apart so that thecassette 60 can be opened. As shown in FIG. 5, a fingernail slot 76 ispreferably provided in one edge portion of the back member 66, to makeit easy to open the cassette 60.

A light seal is provided around the periphery of the cassette 60,between the front and back members 64 and 66. As shown to best advantagein FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, such light seal comprises tongue and grooveelements 78 and 80, on the members 64 and 66. In the illustratedconstruction, the tongue elements 78 are on the back member 66 while thegroove elements 80 are formed in the front member 64. However, thissituation could be reversed.

An intensifying screen 82 is preferably mounted within the cassette 60so as to engage the X-ray film 62. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the screen 82is mounted on the front member 64.

To hold the X-ray film 62 with firm pressure, the front and back members64 are preferably curved or arched slightly. The curvature extendsbetween the hinge elements 68, and the detent elements 72, 74 and isconvex toward the inner side of each of the members 64 and 66. When thecassette 60 is closed, the members 64 and 66 are flattened out, but thearching or curvature of the members produces firm pressure against theX-ray film 62.

The cassette 60 is provided with a marking device 84, adapted to receivethe identification card 28 of FIG. 4. The illustrated marking device 84comprises an electro-luminescent lamp 86, preferably mounted in a recess88, formed in the back member 66. A light-trap slot 89 is provided inone edge of the cassette 60, so that the identification card 28 can beinserted between the lamp 86 and the X-ray film 62. In this case, theidentification card 28 directly engages the film 62 and it is notnecessary to provide a fiber optic plate. There is no danger of snaggingthe film 62, because it remains immovable within the cassette 60, untilthe film is removed therefrom in the photographic dark room. The lightfrom the lamp 86 shines through the card 28 and .falls upon the film 62,so that the identifying markings 30 on the card 28 will produce a latentphotographic image on the film. This image becomes visible when the filmis developed in the normal manner.

Preferably, the cassette 60 is provided with a pair of rounded contactrivets 90 which are connected to the lamp 86. The contacts 90 areemployed to energize the lamp 86. Moreover, the lamp 86 may be securedto the back member 66 by the contact rivets 90. It will be understoodthat the contacts 90 are connected to an energizing circuit when thecassette 60 is insertedinto the X-ray apparatus at the exposure station.The energizing circuit is effective to supply an electrical voltagebetween the contacts 90 for the desired time interval, so as to producethe correct exposure, whereby the markings on the card 28 will beprinted photographically upon the film 62. The energizing circuitincludes a timer which is started automatically at the beginning of theX-ray exposure period. The exposure interval for the marking device 84may be either the same as or different from the X-ray exposure time.

It will be evident that the present invention provides X-ray filmmarking devices which are effective, easy to use and economical. Themarking devices of the present invention merely require the productionof the typewritten identification card, and the insertion of the cardinto the light-trap slot in the marking device. The associated apparatusautomatically energizes the electro-luminescent lamp for the correctinterval to provide the desired exposure. The markings on the card areprinted photographically on the X-ray film so that the markings becomevisible when the film is developed.

I claim:

1. A marking device for X-ray films,

comprising light-tight holding means including a film receptacle forreceiving an X-ray film,

means for feeding successive films into and out of said receptacle,

an electro-luminescent lamp mounted on said holding means opposite oneside of the film,

said lamp being in the form of a flat plate,

said holding means having a wall portion with a recess therein forreceiving said flat plate,

a fiber optic member disposed between said lamp and a portion of thefilm,

said holding means having a portion with a light-trap slot therein forreceiving an identification member between said lamp and said fiberoptic member,

the identification member comprising a base sheet having identifyingmarkings thereon,

said base sheet and said markings differing in light ansmissiveness anmeans for selectively supplying an electrical voltage to said lamp so asto energize said lamp,

said lamp being effective to illuminate the identifying markings on saididentification member,

the identification member being disposed between said lamp and saidfiber optic member while said fiber optic member is sandwiched betweenthe identification member and the film,

said fiber optic member being of the type which transmits light alongparallel paths,

whereby said fiber optic member transfers the image of said identifyingmarkings to the film so as to produce a latent photographic image ofsaid markings on a portion of the film,

said fiber optic member preventing any possible contact between the filmand the identification member whereby the identification member cannotinterfere with the feeding movement of the film.

2. A marking device according to claim 1,

in which said film receptacle has entrance and exit means through whichthe successive films may be transported,

said fiber optic member presenting a smooth surface to the films andpreventing the identification member from interfering with the movementof the films.

3. A marking device according to claim 1,

in which said fiber optic member is in the form of a flat plate havingopposite flat surfaces for engaging the identification member and thefilms.

4. A marking device according to claim 3,

in which said fiber optic member has a large number of parallellight-transmitting fibers extending between said flat surfaces anddisposed perpendicular thereto.

1. A marking device for X-ray films, comprising light-tight holdingmeans including a film receptacle for receiving an X-ray film, means forfeeding successive films into and out of said receptacle, anelectro-luminescent lamp mounted on said holding means opposite one sideof the film, said lamp being in the form of a flat plate, said holdingmeans having a wall portion with a recess therein for receiving saidflat plate, a fiber optic member disposed between said lamp and aportion of the film, said holding means having a portion with alight-trap slot therein for receiving an identification member betweensaid lamp and said fiber optic member, the identification membercomprising a base sheet having identifying markings thereon, said basesheet and said markings differing in light transmissiveness, and meansfor selectively supplying an electrical voltage to said lamp so as toenergize said lamp, said lamp being effective to illuminate theidentifying markings on said identification member, the identificationmember being disposed between said lamp and said fiber optic memberwhile said fiber optic member is sandwiched between the identificationmember and the film, said fiber optic member being of the type whichtransmits light along parallel paths, whereby said fiber optic membertransfers the image of said identifying markings to the film so as toproduce a latent photographic image of said markings on a portion of thefilm, said fiber optic member preventing any possible contact betweenthe film and the identification member whereby the identification membercannot interfere with the feeding movement of the film.
 2. A markingdevice according to claim 1, in which said film receptacle has entranceand exit means through which the successive films may be transported,said fiber optic member presenting a smooth surface to the films andpreventing the identification member from interfering with the movementof the films.
 3. A marking device according to claim 1, in which saidfiber optic member is in the form of a flat plate having opposite flatsurfaces for engaging the identification member and the films.
 4. Amarking device according to claim 3, in which said fiber optic memberhas a large number of parallel light-transmitting fibers extendingbetween said flat surfaces and disposed perpendicular thereto.